Dietary food supplement

ABSTRACT

A composition and method for preparing a food supplement. The composition consisting essentially of at least 70% by weight of an oil seed constituent, at least 8% by weight of an additional plant constituent and at least 4% by weight of yeast wherein oil seed constituent, additional plant constituent and yeast are prepared by blending and cutting for less than about 20 minutes at a temperature of less than about 100° F. and in the presence of light of a wavelength not greater than that of red light and of an intensity not greater than that of a darkroom light to thereby inhibit oxidation of the components of the composition. The method comprising combining at least 70% by weight of an oil seed constituent, at least 8% by weight of an additional plant constituent, and at least 4% by weight of yeast wherein oil seed constituent seed with a liquid coating solution, cutting and blending the constituents, packaging the cut and blended constituents in an opaque, oxygen impermeable pouch, expelling oxygen from the pouch and sealing the pouch.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/143,795, filed Aug. 31, 1998, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/850,273, filed May 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.5,834,048, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/606,073, filed Feb. 23, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,312, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/300,058,filed Sep. 2, 1994, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of nutrition and preventativehealth measures through a dietary formulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diet is importance in determining general health, work performance,energy level and appearance. A diet must include proper amounts ofessential nutrients. Essential nutrients are those that an animal isincapable of synthesizing and therefore, must be obtained from the dietof the animal. Essential nutrients are different for different animals.Of the approximately forty essential nutrients necessary for humans,fourteen are minerals, fourteen are vitamins, ten are amino acids andtwo are essential fatty acids. Other nonessential, but beneficial,factors include enzymes, beneficial bowel bacteria and certain kinds offiber. These factors can become essential when the diet contains highlyprocessed foods.

Extensively processed foods cannot provide all the nutritionalrequirements for optimum animal or human health because processingdestroys chemically fragile essential nutritional elements. For example,processing steps may expose the carbon-carbon double bonds inhydrocarbon chains of essential fatty acids to oxidizing agents such aslight and oxygen. Oxidized fatty acids lose their nutritional value.Humans and animals suffer from a nutritional deficiency as a result ofconsumption of a diet which is largely composed of processed foods.Despite the deficiencies of processed foods they have become popular dueto the ease, speed and convenience with which meals can be prepared.

There is a need for a food supplement containing the missing essentialnutrients to supplement the diet of processed-food consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed at a food supplement composition andmethod for preparing the food supplement composition. The compositionconsists essentially of at least 70% by weight of an oil seedconstituent, at least 8% by weight of an additional plant constituentand at least 4% by weight of yeast. The oil seed constituent, additionalplant constituent and yeast are prepared by blending and cutting forless than about 20 minutes at a temperature of less than about 100° F.and in the presence of light of a wavelength not greater than that ofred light and of an intensity not greater than that of a darkroom lightto thereby inhibit oxidation of the components of the composition.

The method comprising combining at least 70% by weight of an oil seedconstituent, at least 8% by weight of an additional plant constituent,and at least 4% by weight of yeast wherein oil seed constituent seedwith a liquid coating solution, cutting and blending the constituents,packaging the cut and blended constituents in an opaque, oxygenimpermeable pouch, expelling oxygen from the pouch and sealing thepouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention describes animal and human dietary food supplementcompositions and methods for preparing the compositions. Preparation ofthe supplement using the methods of the invention minimizes chemicalchanges in chemically reactive molecules, particularly in theunsaturated carbon--carbon double bonds of hydrocarbon chains in fattyacids of plant and/or animal constituents.

Composition of the Food Supplements

The components of the food supplement compositions of the presentinvention for humans and animals consist of about 10 major ingredients,which will be termed "Macro Ingredients", and about nine minoringredients, which will be termed "Micro Ingredients". These Macro andMicro Ingredients are combined in different combinations to producesupplements for humans, dogs, cats, horses, rodents, ferrets, fox, mink,rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, birds and pocket pets. Pocket petsinclude, but are not limited to, mice, rats, and guinea pigs. Thevarious supplements contain different percentages by weight of theingredients, and some contain ingredients that are not included in othersupplements. For example, vegetarian supplements do not includeingredients of animal origins.

The Macro Ingredients include one or more of:

(1) a seed product selected from the group consisting of flax, hemp,buckwheat, sunflower and sesame, and mixtures thereof;

(2) a coating selected from the group consisting of viscous liquids orspray-dried viscous liquids such as molasses, honey, glycerin, otherviscous liquids and mixtures thereof;

(3) fatted rice bran;

(4) yeast;

(5) powdered liver;

(6) alfalfa leaf powder;

(7) bone meal;

(8) powdered carrot;

(9) powdered apple, and

(10) fish meal.

The Micro Ingredients include one or more of:

(1) oyster powder from whole, freeze dried oysters;

(2) powdered kelp;

(3) powdered garlic;

(4) deoiled soybean lecithin (soy phospholipids);

(5) other nutrients deemed essential for the specific application underconsideration; and

(6) equisetum or other herbs deemed beneficial to the application underconsideration.

All ingredients are of a quality which is fit for human consumption.

The coating materials are molasses, honey, glycerin, other suitableviscous liquid or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment theviscous liquid coating is spray-dried and added to the other componentsin the dry, rather than the liquid, form. These coating liquids inhibitreactions of desirable molecules, in the food, resulting from exposureto light and/or oxygen. The coating aids in the preservation ofnaturally occurring antioxidants found in the supplement components. Thenatural antioxidant include tocopherols, carotenes, quinones, sterols,terpenes, bioflavonoids, polyphenols, polycyclic anthraquinones andantioxidant pigments and are in the components of the supplements.

Prooxidant metals are also excluded from the supplements to minimizeoxidation of the components of the supplement.

The percentage by weight of the Macro Ingredients is best defined byconsidering the seeds, coating material and remaining ingredientsseparately. Grains and seeds typically comprise 30% to 90%, preferably60% to 80%, and most preferably 70% to 75% of a particular supplementblended for a human or specific animal. Unless other wise stated allpercentages used are by weight.

The coating material (molasses, honey, or glycerine, liquid or spraydried) typically comprises 3% to 16%, preferably 6% to 12%, and mostpreferably 7% to 10% of a particular supplement blended for a human orspecific animal.

The "remaining ingredients" typically comprise 7% to 38%, preferably 15%to 25%, but most preferably 18% to 22%, depending on the specific animalor human for which the supplement is intended, and on palatabilityconsiderations. Rice bran, yeast and liver typically comprise the largerpercentages of the "remaining ingredients", preferably 8% to 18%, butmost preferably between 14% and 16%. Alfalfa, carrot, apple, bone meal,and fish meal typically comprise 1% to 12%, preferably 2% to 7%, butmost preferable between 4% and 6%, depending on if the supplement isformulated for a human or a specific animal and on palatabilityconsiderations. Formulations can vary greatly, depending on the species.Effective, and palatable, examples of supplements for dogs, cats,horses, foxes/minks, rabbits and humans are shown in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Typical Formulations for Some Animals and Humans                                Ingredient                                                                             Dog     Cat   Horse  Fox/Mink                                                                             Rabbit                                                                              Human                            ______________________________________                                        MACRO                                                                           Flax 71%.sup.1 / 71%/ 71%/ 71%/73% 71%/ 71%/                                   73.sup.2 73% 73%  73% 73%                                                    Molasses 9.5%/ 9.5%/ 9.5%/ 9.5%/7.% 9.5%/ 9.5%/                                7.5% 7.5% 7.5%  7.5% 7.5%                                                    Yeast 5% 5% 4% 5% 5% 5%                                                       Rice/Bran 5% 5% 6% 5% 6% 6%                                                   Liver 4% 4% 1% 4% 1% 2%                                                       Alfalfa 2% 2% 3.5% 2% 3.5% 2%                                                 Bone 1.5% 1% 0.5% 1% 0.5% 1%                                                  Carrot 1% 1% 2.5% 1% 2.5% 2%                                                  Fish Meal 0.5% 1% 0% 0.10% 0% 0%                                              Apple 0% 0% 1.5% 0% 0.5% 2%                                                   MICRO                                                                         Oyster 0.1% 0.2% 0% 0.1% 0% 0%                                                Kelp 0.1% 0.15% 0.02% 0.1% 0.2% 0.07%                                         Lecithin 0.05% 0.05% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.01%                                  Garlic 0.01% 0.01% 0.01% 0.01% 0.01% 0.01%                                    Taurine 0% 0.05% 0% 0.02% 0% 0.02%                                            Equisetum 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.01%                                                Herb                                                                          Carnitine 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.01%                                              ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Percent by Weight                                                      .sup.2 Liquid/Dry                                                        

The Micro Ingredients typically comprise from 0.2% to 4% of a particularsupplement, primarily depending on the type of animal. Preferably, theseingredients comprise 0.5% to 2.5%, and most preferably 1% to 2% of aparticular supplement. The amount of each specific Micro Ingredient isstrongly related to the animal type. For example, fish and oyster arenot usually part of the horse supplement and kelp is higher in the catsupplement than either dog or, particularly, horse supplement. Table Ialso shows examples of most preferable combinations of the MicroIngredients.

In order that the invention described herein may be more fullyunderstood, the following examples are set forth as illustrations of theinvention. It should be understood that these examples are forillustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting thescope of this invention in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1 A Method for Preparing the Food Supplement Using CoatingLiquids

The method of this example involves the use of coating liquids(molasses, honey, glycerin, or other comparable liquids). According tothis method, the grains and seed are first reduced in size by grinding.The grinding process is most preferably done under dark room conditions.All other ingredients are weighed out prior to the grinding step. Thisis done to keep the time from grinding to packaging and sealing to aminimum. Suitable methods of grinding can be determined by those skilledin the art, but, by way of example, include roller mill or similargrinder or cutter equipment. It should be noted that most preferably thetemperature during size reduction should not exceed 100° F. (37.8° C.).Typically, the grains and seeds are ground to an extent that results in5% to 35% of a representative sample passing through a #30 U.S. Standardscreen. Preferably, the amount passing through the #30 screen is 8% to25%, and most preferably 10% to 20%. Examples of screen analysis forsize reduction are shown in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        test 1                                                                          Ground through a Coffee Bean  test 2                                          Plate-Type Grinder  Ground in a rollermill                                            % Passing               % Passing                                     Standard Gauge through Standard Gauge through                                 Size Screen Size Screen                                                     ______________________________________                                        +10 U.S.   0.7%       +10 U.S.     3.3%                                         +16 U.S. 46.4% +16 U.S. 52.5%                                                 +20 U.S. 23.2% +20 U.S. 24.2%                                                 +30 U.S. 10.2% +30 U.S.  9.2%                                                 -30 U.S. 19.6% -30 U.S. 10.8%                                               ______________________________________                                    

The next step in Example 1 is a mixing process. The ground grains andseeds are immediately transferred to the bowl of a mixer, such as aHobart mixer (other types of mixers are also suitable). Most preferably,the coating liquid is added and allowed to blend with the ground seeduntil the particles are coated (about 1 to 2 minutes). The premixedMacro Ingredients and Micro Ingredients are then added. These are firstprepared by blending the Micro Ingredients with an appropriate blender,such as a Crossley Economy MDL EE type blender with intensifier bar. Theblended Micro Ingredients are then combined with the Macro Ingredientsusing, for example, a Hobart mixer or a "V" type blender.

With all ingredients combined with the coated grain component in themixer, a blending period of 10 minutes is typically used, but morepreferably 8 minutes and most preferably 5 minutes. The thoroughlyblended supplement is transferred to an automatic weigher/filler, suchas an All Fill type machine that dispenses the desired amount of productinto the package. The above details of this Example 1 are in the way ofan example of a batch type process. Other equipment and equipmentcombinations, such as continuous processing, can readily be determinedby those skilled in the art of process and production engineering.

This method of preparing the present invention, including packaging andsealing in opaque, oxygen impermeable containers typically isaccomplished in 16 to 20 minutes, but preferably in 12 to 16 minutes,and most preferably in 8 to 12 minutes, under dark room conditions andwith no stage of the process raising the temperature above 100° F.(37.8° C.).

While not wanting to be bound by any particular explanation, it isbelieved that the preparation of the food supplement of the presentinvention by this method results unexpectedly in general and specificimprovements in human and in animal health due to preservation of thecomponent ingredients in their natural state by the action of:

1) the coating of the ingredient particles with the appropriate liquid(molasses, honey, or glycerin);

2) the minimizing of exposure to light;

3) the minimizing of exposure to oxygen;

4) the minimizing of exposure to heat;

5) the minimizing of the time lapsed between size reduction and sealingin an opaque, oxygen barrier container;

6) preserving naturally occurring antioxidants and other protectivemolecules;

7) the exclusion of prooxidant metals; and

8) the presence of the antioxidant properties of other fiber ingredientsincluded in the formulation (for example, rice bran).

EXAMPLE 2 A Method of Preparing the Food Supplement Using DryIngredients

This method of producing this present invention requires the use of ahigh speed cutting process using the "comminutor" principle of sizereduction/blending of the ingredients. More particularly, this methodincorporates the unique concept of simultaneous size reduction andintimate blending of the premixed supplement ingredients, includingwhole, unground grains and seeds and powdered (dry) additionalingredients, using an arrangement of equipment to rapidly move theingredients into opaque, oxygen barrier packaging in under 5 minutes,most preferably in under 2 minutes. Specifically, the concept of, andthe equipment for, accomplishing a one step process of premixedingredients through a high speed size reduction/blending and thencedirectly into opaque, oxygen barrier packaging is unique.

The premix of all the formula ingredients including the whole, ungroundoil seed, with the use of powdered forms of molasses, honey or glycerin,allows for staged and inventoried material. This material is stableuntil further processing and is ready, in the quantities desired, forthe comminutor process. The high speed, simultaneous size reduction andintimate blending releases the natural oils, essential fatty acids andnaturally occurring antioxidants which then coat the other ingredients.This gives the supplement formulation an effective temporarystabilization against oxidation and free radical chemical reactions. Theaddition of special packaging and handling of the product when openedextends the period of stabilization for at lease 90 days from the dateof production.

The process was developed in cooperation with Urschel Laboratories,Inc., using their Comitrol Processor Model 1700. Research in cooperationwith Urschel in which the concept of this present invention of using theproper combination of impellers, cutterhead design, cutterhead knifespacing and machine "rpm" to simultaneously and intimately reduce insize and blend the formula ingredients is unique. The ability to producea dry product by this method was a surprising and expected result as itwas expected that the dry products would: plug or jam the machine; raisethe processing temperature above 100° F. (37.8° C.); not be accomplishedat satisfactory "production" rates; or leave grains and seeds uncut orunsatisfactorily cut and poorly blended with the other ingredients.

Urschel equipment is size reduction equipment, not thought to be used ina simultaneous size reduction/blending process at low temperatures(under 100° F.; 37.8° C.). Preferably, the Urschel 1700 ComitrolProcessor is fitted with a 15 to 45 horsepower motor, either a 30 bladeimpeller or straight impeller, a type "B", three inch high slicing heador cutting head with 0.010 thousandths of an inch horizontal thicknessof separators, and 0.010 to 0.080 thousandths of an inch opening betweenhorizontal separators, operating at 2,200 to 6,000 rpms. Morepreferably, the Urschel Model 1700 Comitrol Processor is fitted with a30 horsepower motor, straight impeller, a type "B", 3 inch high cuttinghead with 0.010 thousandths of an inch horizontal thickness ofseparators, and 0.020 to 0.060 thousandths of an inch opening betweenhorizontal separators, operating between 2,500 and 5,800 rpm's. Mostpreferably, the Urschel 1700 Comitrol Processor is fitted with a 30horsepower motor, straight impeller, type "B", 3 inch high cutting headwith 0.010 thousandths of an inch thickness of separators, and 0.040thousandths of an inch opening between horizontal separators, operatingbetween 3,600 and 5,650 rpm's.

The steps in this method, then, are mixing of all ingredients, includinga spray-dried form of blackstrap molasses and whole, unground grains andseeds, in a "V" blender of a size appropriate for the productioncapacity desired. This mixing process only requires that a thoroughblending of the ingredients take place and can be accomplished in avariety of mixer or blender types familiar to those skilled in the artof blending equipment. This premix of ingredients is ready for theComitrol Processor and can be inventoried (stored or staged) in minibulk bags, barrels, or other suitable containers until said processingstep is initiated. Operating production rates for the Comitrol processare between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds per hour depending on the rpmselected and how fine a grind is desired. Typically, a coarser blend isproduced at 3,600 rpm and production feed rates of 2,000 pounds per hour(see A, Table III). Most preferably, a finer blend is produced at 5,634rpm and production feed rates of 2,700 pounds per hour (see B, TableIII).

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        Test A            Test B                                                        3.600 rpm, 2.000 lb/hr. 5.634 rpm, 2.700 lb/hr.                                       %                       % Pass-                                       Standard Gauge Passing through Standard Gauge ing through                     Size Screen Size Screen                                                     ______________________________________                                        +10       trace       +10          0%                                           +16  9% +16  4%                                                               +20 22% +20 17%                                                               +30 10% +30 19%                                                               -30 50% -30 60%                                                             ______________________________________                                    

Other equipment that uses the "Comminutor" principle of size reductionmay be appropriate to accomplish the results found using the UrshelModel 1700. For example, the model 194 or 197 Comitrol made by QuadroEngineering, with proper impellers and cutting screens. The Quadroequipment is preferred for small production rates.

Once the material exits the size reduction/blending step, it is directedinto automatic weigher/dispenser machines (such as All fill automaticweigher/dispensers). A special component was developed to divide anddirect the exiting material to several automatic weigher/dispensers, asproduction demands. The key factor is to set the rate the material exitsthe Comitrol to the rate the container lines are running. The containerproduction line can be of any degree of sophistication to accomplish theproduction requirements and is readily determinable by one skilled inthe art of production line engineering. The exiting supplement blendmust be dispensed into and sealed in either opaque, oxygen impermeablepouches or into inert gas flushed, oxygen impermeable containers towhich an oxygen absorber packet has been added, preferably in under 5minutes, but most preferably in under 2 minutes.

In addition to the process being performed rapidly, the process isperformed at a temperature under 100° F. (37.8° C.) and in the absenceof white light (i.e. under dark room conditions).

While not wanting to be bound by any particular explanation, it isbelieved that by this one step process the supplement blend, whenconsistently fed to humans and/or animals over time, results in generaland specific improvements in health due to preservation of theingredients in their natural state by the action of:

1) an intimate blending and dispersing of the naturally occurringantioxidants over the particles;

2) the minimization of exposure to oxygen due to the one step processingtechnique;

3) the minimization of exposure to light due to the one step processingtechnique;

4) the minimization of exposure to heat;

5) the minimizing of lapsed time from exiting the Comitrol to sealingthe supplement blend in opaque, oxygen barrier containers due to the onestep processing technique;

6) the coating action of naturally occurring antioxidants and otherrelated compounds (see "1)", above) caused by the action of the premixedingredients being guided to the center of a high speed, rotatingimpeller in which the centrifugal force moves product outward to theimpeller tips which carry it past the cutting edges of the stationaryreduction head of the Comitrol Processor;

7) the exclusion of prooxidant metals; and

8) the antioxidant properties of other ingredients included in theformulation (such as rice bran).

EXAMPLE 3 A Rapid Method of Preparing the Food Supplement Using DryIngredients

The following ingredients, suitable for use as a supplement from dogsare weighed in the following proportions and mixed 72% flax, 8%spray-dried molasses, 5% yeast, 5% rice bran, 4% liver, 2% alfalfa, 1.5%bone, 1% carrot, 0.5% fish meal, 0.1% oyster, 0.1% kelp, 0.05% lecithinand 0.0 1% garlic. The mixture is then stored until required.

When required the mixture is cut in a high speed cutting process, asdescribed in Example 2, operating at 5,634 rpm and production feed ratesof 2,700 pounds per hour. After the cutting is completed the cut mixtureis immediately packed into opaque, oxygen barrier packaging. Thepackages are then evacuated to remove oxygen and sealed. The process,from the commencement of cutting to sealing the cut ingredients in thepackaging is completed in about 2 minutes. The process, from thecommencement of cutting to sealing the cut ingredients in the packagingis conducted under "dark room conditions" as described above and at atemperature which does not exceed 100° F. (37.8° C.).

EXAMPLE 4 Feeding Trials for Dogs

Food supplements specifically formulated for dogs were preparedaccording to the process of Example 3 and fed to a total of 540 dogs for60 days. Veterinarians then monitored the animals for changes in avariety of conditions.

The results of the feeding trials are shown in Table IV. The dogs showedremarkable improvements in a variety of conditions. For example, anumber of conditions relating to skin and hair improved after animalswere fed the diet. Hair shedding decreased in 385 of 385 dogs examined,and dandruff conditions similarly improved in 214 of 214 dogs examined.Energy levels for dogs older than eight years of age were increased in197 of 270 dogs examined. The food supplements also improved conditionsrelated to digestion, immune function, and energy levels in the dogs.Additional anecdotal evidence was noted for improvements in additionalskin, hair, thyroid, digestive (including stool texture), immuneconditions, arthritic conditions, respiratory diseases, renal disease,muscle pain, or in healing time following injury or surgery for canine,equine, and feline animals. The results of the feeding trials for dogsis summarized in Table IV.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        Results of Feeding Trials with Dogs                                                         # of                            positive                           dogs/ % of  no some  response/                                               Condition 540 dogs worse effect effect cured total                          ______________________________________                                        doggy odor                                                                              70     13%    0    7    3    60   63/70                               wet, red, 127 25% 0 14 88 30 113/127                                          inflamed                                                                      eyes                                                                          dry, flaky, 214 40% 0 0 47 167 214/214                                        dandruff                                                                      skin                                                                          hot spots, 138 26% 0 26 55 57 112/138                                         eczema, inflamed                                                              skin                                                                          oily, seborrhea 31  6% 0 9 13 9 22/31                                         skin                                                                          dry, coarse hair 283 32% 0 0 68 215 283/283                                   brittle, dull, 232 43% 0 7 47 178 225/232                                     lusterless hair                                                               shedding hair 385 71% 0 27 127 231 385/385                                    flea allergy 97 18% 0 13 84 0 84/97                                           other allergies 97 18% 0 57 28 12 40/97                                       (incl. dermatitis)                                                            auto-immune 59 11% 0 21 36 2 38/59                                            stool texture 97 18% 0 0 42 55 97/97                                          (including                                                                    constipation)                                                                 megacolon 5  1% 0 1  3 4/5                                                    smelly stool 108 20% 0 17 11 80  91/108                                       stiffness, 216 40% 0 52 118 46 164/216                                        arthritis                                                                     (8+ years)                                                                    low energy 270 30% 0 73 106 91 197/270                                        (8+ years)                                                                    low energy 108 20% 0 51 32 25  57/108                                         (1-8 years)                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5 Feeding Trials for Cats

Food supplements specifically formulated for cats were preparedaccording to the invention and fed to a total of 300 cats for 60 days.Veterinarians then monitored the animals for changes in a variety ofconditions.

The results of the feeding trials are shown in Table V. The cats showedremarkable improvements in a variety of conditions. For example, anumber of conditions relating to skin and hair improved after animalswere fed the diet. Hair balls where reduced in 188 of 195 cats examined,and dandruff conditions similarly improved in 99 of 114 cats examined.Energy levels for older cats were increased in 84 of 238 cats examined.

                  TABLE V                                                         ______________________________________                                        Results of Feeding Trials with Cats                                                         # of                            positive                           cats/ % of  no some  response/                                               Condition 300 cats worse effect effect cured total #                        ______________________________________                                        hair balls,                                                                             90     30%    0    4    0    86   86/90                               long-haired cats                                                              hair-balls, 105 35% 0 3 0 102 102/105                                         short-haired                                                                  cats                                                                          feline acne 15  5% 0 0 0 15 15/15                                             dry, flaky 114 38% 0 15 11 88  99/114                                         dandruff skin                                                                 hot spots, 18  6% 0 3 6 9 15/18                                               eczema,                                                                       inflamed skin                                                                 oily, seborrhea 3  1% 0 0 2 1 3/3                                             skin                                                                          dry, coarse 90 30% 0 0 14 76 90/90                                            hair                                                                          brittle, dull 123 41% 0 0 9 114 123/123                                       lusterless                                                                    hair                                                                          shedding hair 258 86% 0 18 22 218 240/258                                     flea allergy 30 10% 0 7 19 4 23/30                                            other allergies 24  8% 0 0 22 2 24/24                                         (incl.                                                                        dermatitis)                                                                   stool texture 9  3% 0 0 2 7 9/9                                               (incl.                                                                        constipation)                                                                 diarrhea 8  3% 0 2 2 4 6/8                                                    fetid, smelly 6  2% 0 0 0 6 6/6                                               stool                                                                         stiffness, 54 18% 0 5 41 8 49/54                                              arthritis                                                                     low energy 238 46% 0 54 63 21  84/238                                         (older cats)                                                                ______________________________________                                    

While this describes what are at present to be the preferred embodimentsof the invention, it will be clear to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention. The invention is to be determined solely in terms of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preparing a food supplementcomprising combining flax oil seed constituent, and additional plantconstituent in the absence of a liquid constituent;blending theconstituents to form a homogeneous mixture of the constituents; andreducing the size of the constituents.
 2. The method of claim 1including additional oil seed constituents selected from the groupconsisting of hemp seeds, buckwheat, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds andmixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional plantconstituent is selected from the consisting of grains, grain germs,grain brans, chia, kukui, perilla, tung, powdered kelp, powderedvegetables, powdered fruits, powdered legumes, powdered herbs, yeast,powdered alfalfa, garlic, equisetum herb and mixtures thereof.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the constituents include an animalconstituent.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the animal constituent isselected from the group consisting of powdered liver, bone, fish meal,powdered oyster and mixtures thereof.
 6. A method of preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining flax seed constituent and an additionalplant constituents in the absence of a liquid constituent; blending theconstituents to form a substantially homogeneous mixture of theconstituents; reducing the size of the constituents, conducting theprocess in a preselected light condition, selectively of less intensitythan normal ambient light; and conducting the size reduction of theconstituents for a predetermined time below a predetermined temperaturesuch that the preselected light, predetermined time and temperature actto inhibit the oxidation of the constituents.
 7. A method of preparing afood supplement comprising:combining a flax seed constituent and anadditional plant constituent in absence of a liquid constituent;blending the constituents to form a substantially homogeneous mixture ofthe constituents; reducing the size of the constituents; transferringthe reduced size constituents to a light-impermeable, oxygen impermeablecontainer; and sealing the container wherein all the steps are conductedin the presence of a preselected light condition, selectively a light ofreduced intensity relative to normal ambient light, so as to effectivelynot promote oxidation of the components.
 8. A method of preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining a flax seed constituent and anadditional plant constituent, in the absence of a liquid constituent;blending the constituents to form a homogeneous mixture of theconstituents; and reducing the size of the constituents; and conductingthe blending and size reduction process in preselected light,temperature and time conditions such as to effectively not promoteoxidation of the constituents.
 9. A method of preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining a flax seed constituent and anadditional plant constituent in absence of a liquid constituent;blending of constituents to form a homogeneous mixture of theconstituents; reducing the size of the constituents; transferring thereduced size constituents to a light impermeable and oxygen impermeablecontainer; and sealing the container wherein the steps of blending, sizereduction, and transferring are conducted in a light condition whichdoes not promote oxidation.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9 whereinthe steps of blending and size reduction of the constituents iseffective in less than about 2 to about 5 minutes, at a temperature ofabout less than about 100° F.
 11. A method of preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining a flax seed constituent and anadditional plant constituent in the absence of a liquid constituent;blending the constituents to form a homogeneous mixture of theconstituents; size reducing the constituents; conducting the blendingand size reduction of the constituents for less than about 2 to about 5minutes at a temperature of less than about 100° F.; transferring thecut constituents to a light impermeable and oxygen impermeablecontainer; expelling the oxygen from the container; sealing thecontainer; and wherein the steps of blending, size reduction,transferring and expelling are conducted in the presence of light so aseffectively to not promote oxidation.
 12. A method for preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining a flax seed constituent and anadditional plant constituent in the absence of a liquid constituent;size reducing the constituents; blending the constituents to form ahomogeneous mixture of the constituents; and dispensing the size reducedand blended constituents into different packaging containers, thepackaging containers being substantially oxygen and light impermeable.13. The method of claim 12 including additional plant seed constituentsselected from the group consisting of hemp seeds, buckwheat, sunflowerseeds, sesame seeds and mixtures thereof.
 14. The method of claim 12wherein the additional plant constituent is selected from theconstituent of grains, grain germs, grain brans, chia, kukui, perilla,tung, powdered kelp, powdered vegetables, powdered fruits, powderedlegumes, powdered herbs, yeast, powdered alfalfa, garlic, equisetum herband mixtures thereof.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein theconstituents further includes an animal constituent.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the animal constituent is selected from the groupconsisting of powdered liver, bone, fish meal, powdered oyster andmixtures thereof.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 12 where theconstituents to be combined each have different initial sizes.
 18. Amethod as claimed in claim 12 wherein the size reducing and blending iseffected in a single machine.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18wherein the dispensing is effected directly from a size reducing andblending machine.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the stepsof size reducing, blending, and dispensing are conducted under reducedintensity light conditions so as to effectively not promote oxidationand the dispensed product is dry.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 12wherein the steps of size reducing and blending of the constituents iseffected in less than about 2 to about 5 minutes at a temperature ofless than about 100° F.
 22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17,18, 19 or 20 wherein the steps of size reducing and blending of theconstituents is effected in less than about 2 to about 5 minutes at atemperature of less than about 100° F.
 23. A method of preparing a foodsupplement comprising:combining constituents comprising a flax seedconstituent and an additional plant constituent, the constituentsincluding a heterogeneous mix of powders, granular components and seedcomponents; blending the constituents to form a homogeneous mixture ofthe constituents and reducing the size of the constituents wherein thehomogeneous blending and size reduction of the combined constituents issuch to effect a substantially uniform blend of size-reduced product ofabout 1.7 mm or less in size.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 23wherein the homogeneous blended and size-reduced product is fed directlyinto a light impermeable and oxygen impermeable package from which avacuum is drawn.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein theblending and size reduction is effected in less than about 2-5 minutes.26. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the flax seed powders andgranular components are premixed prior to blending and size reduction.27. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the blending and sizereduction process is effected at a temperature of less than about 100°F. and under light conditions of less than intensity than normal ambientlight conditions and wherein the process takes less than about 20minutes and preferably less than about five minutes, such that the time,temperature and light conditions of the process substantially inhibitoxidation of the blended and size-reduced product.
 28. A method asclaimed in claim 23 wherein the method is performed in the absence of aliquid constituent.
 29. A method of preparing a food supplementcomprising:combining constituents comprising a flax oil seed constituentand an additional plant constituent, the constituents including aheterogeneous mix of powders, granular components and seed components;blending the constituents to form a homogeneous mixture of theconstituents and reducing the size of the constituents wherein thehomogeneous blending and size reduction of the combined constituents issuch to effect a substantially uniform blend of size reduced productwhere about 5% of the product can pass through a #30 U.S. standardscreen.